MFD Crosswind Mini - endurance and proximity flying

MFD Crosswind Mini Plane: www.myflydream.com/products/d-...
Power pack for Crosswind Mini: www.myflydream.com/products/d-...
⮟⮟⮟OPEN DESCRIPTION FOR MORE INFO⮟⮟⮟
Over the weekend I had some more fun with the Crosswind Mini, including some endurance runs, a range test of the new panel antenna MFD are testing for the Crossbow Mini, and I did have some awesome proximity fun, which luckily did not end with a durability test of the plane! All in all... a good weekend!
Read the full review in my blog: arxangelrc.blogspot.com/2019/...
Follow me on Facebook for daily updates: / arxangelrc
Ways you can support me directly:
Patreon: / arxangelrc
PayPal: paypal.me/ArxangelRC
Or by using these links before buying anything from the chosen website:
Banggod: www.banggood.com?KZbin&ArxangelRC&p=6L1818635832201406F2
AKK Tech: www.akktek.com/?acc=321
FPVmodel: www.fpvmodel.com/?u=5E59B5BF0...
Aliexpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cpJaxAgg
GetFPV: www.getfpv.com/?cmid=eHZ3Y2tB...
HorusRC: www.horusrc.com/en?acc=11581
GearBest: www.gearbest.com/?lkid=13878454
Amazon.com: goo.gl/v6tefq
PARTS LIST:
MFD Mini Crossbow Antenna Tracker: www.myflydream.com/products/d-...
MFD Crosshair Autopilot: www.myflydream.com/products/d-...
Dragonlink V3 Advanced control system: fpvpro.com/dragon-link-v3-adva...
AKK FX2 Dominator Vtx: www.akktek.com/products/vtx/f...
AKK Linear antenna: www.akktek.com/products/anten...
Ground side antenna: 21db Linear Panel antenna (sample)
Foxeer Arrow FPV Camera: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/pcENtntA
DJI Osmo Action camera: bit.ly/DJI-Action
Special edition Taranis: www.banggood.com/FrSky-2_4G-1...
or: goo.gl/Whcnt1
LiIon cells: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/ba7GvOHi
VIDEO GEAR:
Panasonic Lumix G7
DJI Phantom 4 Pro: www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopte...
Zhiyun Crane Gimbal: goo.gl/7pZBCy
FeiYu Tech WG2X Wearable Gimbal: bit.ly/FeiYu-WG2X
SJ7 Star action camera: www.gearbest.com/action-camera...
RunCam 2: www.banggood.com/RunCam-2-Run...
Firefly 8SE camera: bit.ly/Firefly-8SE

[@woogieman02]

Nice flights, hoping to test fly my long range wing this weekend. Really like the look of the tracker antenna, awesome that you are given test samples! Lucky guy

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes, I have a good relationship with MFD... but I do provide a lot of feedback for them as well! Since I got this gear I've discovered a number of bugs that were sorted out quickly! :) The GPS not working properly has allowed me to figure some of this bugs out more easily!

[@woogieman02]

@@ArxangelRC lucky man. Keep up the work, and dont forget about the plane on the hill. Still waiting for the recovery footage!

[@ArxangelRC]

Hahahaha... assuming there is anything to recover! :)

[@NoAgendaFPV]

Thank you for hitting that tree gap near the runway! haha loved the proximity stuff!

[@ArxangelRC]

Haha, you are welcome! :)

[@luisete7076]

HOWWWW!!! Como me a gustado esa pasada a baja altura entre los dos árboles Fantástico!!! Como siempre un vídeo excelente, un saludo desde España. :)

[@ArxangelRC]

Thanks mate, appreciate it! :)

[@collinsnjarara3352]

Awesome video 👍👏. I really liked the music at the end please use every time. Could you please consider doing a long-range wing build with the f722 flight controller and also do a video of how to connect the antenna tracker module with the f405 and f722 flight controller. And how to configure the mfd mini crossbow antenna tracker and how to get it to work correctly.

[@ArxangelRC]

Right... so check out my last video that I published last night... should answer a few of those questions. As for the F722, I have already planned on mounting it on the SonicModell Binary... and besides... no wings around here... but I will show to wire it all up anyway... although I do show that in the Tracker video!

[@ahatoni]

Hi my friend, thank you for the great vids you are producing! I can always learn something :) What take off weight do you have with your crosswind and all the gear on it? And would it not be more efficient to have a single motor rather than 2, to save weight? Noticed with an Easy Glider (1,8m wingspan), that using a battery 150g or 9% heavier in take off weight (1,7kg) needs over 30% more power (mAh/100m) to do the same climbing rate... So is smaller more beautiful I wonder, i.e. using a smaller plane like the crosswind? But that has 2 motors, meaning more weight? Thanks and keep going!

[@ArxangelRC]

Take off weight is just under 3kgs for the current setup, without the gimbal! Generally it will be a little bit lighter with a single motor... although it will have to be bigger and more powerful to compensate... more expensive prop... heavier motor, heavier ESC... so not exactly clear on how much weight you will be saving... but if we are talking 100 grams... on a plane this size... doesn't make a difference at all! Theoretically you might see some efficiency improvement from the larger prop... IF you will be using a larger prop... but I am not sure I should be expecting miracles! Besides... I do like the redundancy of a dual motor setup... because even if one stops... the plane can still fly with the other!

[@oliundtrude5318]

Gread video, thanks. Is it ´possible to get information about MFD Mini Crossbow Antenna Tracker and how to use it via frsky telemetry. no aditional module.

[@ArxangelRC]

I don't think you can use it via FrSky Telemetry!

[@mike97525]

thanks

[@ArxangelRC]

:)

[@Tobi-le4rq]

Pls. Make a video of the ground Station and how to set it up. I have bought the same but there is no good documentation for the crossbow mini and the Telefly tiny module. Best regards from Germany.

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes, I will be making a video about this shortly! :)

[@northernfpv9562]

Weird how much lateral yaw you're getting as you slow down around the 4:20 mark. So will this replace the Clouds as your go-to airframe?

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes, it does wobble a bit... but I guess I might need to touch the params at some point... using different servos from the ones MFD tuned it with! Not sure about that... the Clouds... is bloody brilliant... but this one is pretty awesome as well... have to mount a gimbal to it and try... but it is possible I might use them simultaneously!

[@TheReal666]

It seems you got the tracker working. Do you plan on releasing an update video?

[@ArxangelRC]

Well... I didn't get it working... as with everything MFD... it just comes working from the factory... unlike the rest... you don't have to GET IT working! :P Yes, I will be doing a video on it!

[@ozzyfpv1623]

Hey Looking at buying one.. what size 18650 packs you running ..4s or 6s?

[@ArxangelRC]

6S all the way! :P

[@AlexanderPerez-oe1gu]

How’s your experience with the AKK dominator been? I noticed it’s a nice compact system with 2000mw of power. That’s impressive. Also, is the patch antenna shown with the tracker the new mfd patch the keep talking about that is supposed to replace the old 23dbi. If so, have they mentioned when will it be available? I don’t see it in their website yet.

[@ArxangelRC]

The antenna on the tracker is linked in the video below, it is the triple feed patch array, not the MFD antenna! Here is a link to the MFD one, has been on the website for a while - www.myflydream.com/products/d-0/364.html I have not done too many flights with the Dominator at 2000mW... it was actually just this one... for the previous flights I had it at a lower power level, but it seems to be working OK, and at least my unit is outputting close to what it is rated for! :)

[@joeshmo5399]

Patch antenna? I think you can call that a pizza box antenna. Is it made for UHF? Control or FPV?

[@ArxangelRC]

Haha, it is a 5.8Ghz linear panel antenna, and it is actually smaller than the one designed for the first MFD tracker that I've had for years! :)

[@Victorgml]

Excelent vídeo, I am a complete fan of your work, and you really makes me enter to this hobbie, but i dont know or understand about parts or gear, can you help me choosing some parts to start, or do you hace any email where we can talk about this? By the way, hace a great day

[@ArxangelRC]

Thanks mate, appreciate it! Drop me a message on Facebook and I will do what I can to help you out! :)

[@pilotandorc2922]

How are you friend; Did you have any problems with using a 1.2 ghz Patch antenna with this Tracker due to the weight?

[@ArxangelRC]

I've never used a 1.2Ghz system with any of my trackers!

[@SkynetXOFPV]

Is the patch antenna available for purchase?

[@ArxangelRC]

Like I said in the video... not yet... will provide a link in the video description as soon as it is! :)

[@Steppi_]

Nice Video:D Which is the best long range antenna to just put it on a fpv goggle?

[@ArxangelRC]

Hmmmm... have not played with many of the smaller antennas because I do use the tracker and it can swing around heavier stuff... but I was very happy with the Triple Feed Patch antenna, and it is convenient to mount on goggles!

[@Steppi_]

@@ArxangelRC okay, I will give it a try. Thank you for your answer!

[@ArxangelRC]

You are welcome mate! :)

[@kral5932]

Fantastic vid as always :) May I ask, what flight distance was achieved on the long distance attempt with the working Thank you in advance

[@sam2000v]

Looks like around 14.3km from the green number on the bottom center of the osd at 3:35-3:37

[@ArxangelRC]

Yeah... a bit over 14kms... then I started messing about with the Dragonlink module, and plane went into failsafe... turned around!

[@kral5932]

@@ArxangelRC Ah sorry I should have been more clear, I meant the flight distance covered on the max flight time attempt.

[@ArxangelRC]

Right... well can't say because the GPS wasn't working... hence no measurement of distance! But on the first endurance run... it did about as many kms as it did minutes, so average speed was about 60km/h, and it did about 86-87kms in the time it spent in the air!

[@kral5932]

@@ArxangelRC Nice! Thank you very much

[@zhanyiduo]

Hi Alex, can you share the link of your 433mhz antenna for your radio?

[@ArxangelRC]

The antenna is the stock one that comes with the DragonLink system, the link is in the video description!

[@zhanyiduo]

@@ArxangelRC Thanks. I just ordered the AAT from MFD. Looking forward to extend the range of minitalon.

[@ArxangelRC]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@MrDroneinthesky]

I also have crossbow mini with aomway 1000mw rtxwith dvr and vtx but i am not receiving more then 7km on crossbow mini .can you tell me whats the issue

[@ArxangelRC]

With such limited information, I cannot! What antenna do you have on the receiver and what on the plane? Where are you flying - city or rural area?

[@cooperloop4922]

@@ArxangelRC I'm currently building a Crosswind mini model and wanted to know your opinion about my departure weight (3800g). Is that too much for this model or should I save some weight on the Lio battery and take 12000mah instead of 14400mah and thus save 320g ?.lg. from Berlin Germany

[@ArxangelRC]

Hey, sorry for the delay! 3800 is 1kg more than mine is... so not sure... I don't think it should be a problem... but it will need a good toss to get it in the air! removing 320 grams would do little to change that I think! Fly it like this and see how it does... would be curious to know the results!

[@MrDroneinthesky]

@@ArxangelRC my plane is working ok bit issue os only distance. I am not receiving video after 7 kilometers

[@ArxangelRC]

What antennas are you using on the video system? Tx? Rx?

[@airpaper2342]

Hello. Tell me where the aircraft is located CG?

[@ArxangelRC]

About 5mm in front of the wiring channel on the wings!

[@JuniorLobo76]

Could you tell me where his CG is and the minimum battery weight to be ready for flight? I put a lipo of 4s of 10,000mah well ahead and still it is not working.

[@ArxangelRC]

Already replied under another video! No point in leaving a few comments that are the same... I try to reply to every comment! Asking only once is enough!

[@JuniorLobo76]

@@ArxangelRC Find out by discomfort. It was not my intention. Thanks. Follow my link for you to take a look at how it looks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ7InaBtrt90m9U

[@ArxangelRC]

@@JuniorLobo76 Looks nice! Well done! And I see you also got the landing gear! Got a nice, flat place to take off from?

[@JuniorLobo76]

@@ArxangelRC Yes, we have an aeromodelling track here in Brasilia. See: abradf.com.br/

[@ArxangelRC]

Very good! Lucky you!!!!

[@Tobi-le4rq]

When will the 23DB antenna will be released by Mfd? Do you have any informations about it?

[@ArxangelRC]

It is 21db... it is slightly smaller than the 23db they have on the website now, but a lot lighter!

[@ArxangelRC]

And no, at this time I do not have an exact date... but will update the link in the video description when it shows up!

[@holoduke51a]

You can find loads of 21dbi 5.8g patch antennas for sale online. You don't need a special fpv antenna. You can also try a 28dbi one if you use a tracker. +80 km easy pssible with a decent mushroom antenna on the plane

[@ArxangelRC]

Indeed! Just have to mind the weight! The Crossbow Mini can carry 700 grams... the $999 tracker can go up to 3.5kgs!

[@holoduke51a]

@@ArxangelRC or use the 360 opensource tracker. www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2964122-u360gts-360%C2%B0-antenna-tracker You could attach a 10kg dish antenna if you build it properly :)

[@martinglenkenny]

Are you sure your Current sensor is calibrated correctly with regards your flight time results? I found the Crosshair AP's default current sensor settings to be underestimating my battery usage by around 40%. I ask as I'm flying the same plane, same motors, same battery, same AP and even the same weight as yours but my flight time on a 10.5A Li-ion Sanyo NCR18650GA battery is around 50 minutes! (30% battery left/ 11-12A draw) in calmish conditions. Wings are clean too so there's no extra drag on the plane. Using a 17.5A Li-ion (3.5kg AUW) I'm only getting 75 mins(13-14A draw) Nowhere near your stated 100 minutes on a 10.5A battery.....it is the Crosswind Mini you are flying right? My fpv gears working current is minimal at 200mA so there's no extra drain on the battery from here.

[@ArxangelRC]

Actually I am not basing my results on the onboard current sensor... and also... current sensor does not alter the TIME... fact is... plane stayed up there for 100 mins with 10.5Ah LiIon 6S battery... so it does not matter what the current sensor is showing... although... it is underestimating the current... but no by a lot... max 10%, but I get a more clear idea of how much was taken out when I recharge the battery! Voltage is spot on, and I do land when the battery gets to 3v per cell... so... down to 3v per cell... flight lasted 100 mins! Time is time... it does not flow quicker if your amp draw is higher or your current sensor is not calibrated!

[@martinglenkenny]

@@ArxangelRC Maybe it's my flying style as I like to fly long range fast and direct and do not Potter around in circles using minimum amps. Even with a tail wind on RTH best efficiency i can manage is around 7-8amps. Another thing that can be quite misleading with the Crosshair AP is that it's flight timer starts to record when you power up the AP not when you launch it. I do agree with you that the Mini Crosswind is a nice plane to fly but when it comes to efficiency it falls short. The wingspan is simple not wide enough to carry the payload required to get the correct CG on this plane and this has been confirmed by other rc pilots too! Its bigger brother (1900mm) is the true long range efficient plane here. Flying below 3.4v even for a li-ion i would not recommend as if you run into difficulty you will not have enough punch power left to get you out of trouble. Well done on your endurance test but I do not believe anyone else flying this plane will experience the results you did!

[@ArxangelRC]

I can bet they can copy my setup part for part and will get the same results... as long as they know how to! Like I said... this was flown in stab mode... and I had set the throttle to a constant point... only slightly bumping it up as the voltage dropped! Furthermore... if your motors are powerful enough and you have no cut off on the ESCs... even at 3.4v per cell you can have more than enough power... but in any case... towards the lower end of the battery it is considered that you would be headed home anyway! :)

[@kevinschindler8052]

do some more videos of the antenna trackers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes, I will get to that part, have some more tests to run with them, but that review is also coming! :)

[@kevinschindler8052]

@@ArxangelRC great! im really looking for some cheap gps antenna trackers or diy rssi trackers

[@ArxangelRC]

Well... the Crossbow Mini is $160... so twice cheaper than the old tracker!

[@user-nc2qi3ws3q]

You need upgrade to digital video like DJI FPV HD video transmitter

[@EnglishTurbines]

No good, it will only go 2, maybe 3 kms range. Nowhere near enough.

[@ArxangelRC]

Yeah... that is limited... with some antennas and convincing... it could go up to 10kms... but that is still a bit too short than what I would like to have!

[@wallaguest1]

what osd you use?

[@ArxangelRC]

This is the MFD autopilot's built-in OSD.

[@SladkaPritomnost]

possibly: MFD Teleflypro OSD www.aliexpress.com/item/924246541.html Not sure if this one comes with colors...

[@SladkaPritomnost]

it's this one MyFlyDream Crosshair Autopilot with Color OSD www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3219205-MyFlyDream-Crosshair-Autopilot-with-Color-OSD

[@ArxangelRC]

Yes, I have links for that in the description of the video!

[@Jolan9340]

First

[@ArxangelRC]

:P